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What was the dispute between Stone and Bogosian?

posted 19 years ago by Scoooter
16 replies | jump to latest

Does anyone know what the dispute between Oliver Stone and Eric Bogosian was during post production of Talk Radio?

I have read that Stone refuses to discuss the film during interviews, which made it all the more surprising to see it listed in the Oliver Stone Collection. It was also rumored, that Stone refused to promote the film when it was originally released in 1988. In fact, I cannot think of another Oliver Stone film that has had so little hype with such a limited release.

This has always been in my top 50 of all time and it would be interesting to know where it all went wrong between the director and actor. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[–] beaubienmail 18 years ago

Read "Stone: the controversies, excesses, and exploits of a radical filmmaker" by James Riordan. There's a wealth of juicy behind the scenes to behold a "Talk Radio" fantatic's head.

[–] Sonicboom87 18 years ago

What does it say? I'm curious to know.

[–] ThreeSadTigers 14 years ago

I don't know about any fallout between Bogosian and Stone, but Stone has said that he places this film behind any other movie that he's made since Salvador. He says he finds it hard to care too much about it because he didn't originate it. It was Bogosian's project, and Stone felt like he was at the mercy of the play, not really free to expand on it. It's also been suggested that Stone only took the project to fill up a gap in his schedule before Born on the Fourth of July went into production.

[–] warlok1 14 years ago

^^^ For this reason I LIKE the film; sorry but Oliver Stone SUCKS when he does his own writing...you get cr@pfests like his conspiratorial 'JFK' or huge self congradulating circle jerks like "Alexander", or his whiny lefty rants like his over rated "Platoon" (A film which, unlike say Full Metal Jacket, hasn't aged well)

[–] CULTEGUY 14 years ago

I disagree with you, but I like your statement (your opinions just aren;t mine.)

Stone made some good flicks, and crappy ones, and this is one of the more interesting flicks, meaning it's good. I liked almost all of the films you mentioned (except "Alexander,") but is in love with his own writing so much he can't stand to deal with other people, and even the greatest of all directors have fought sucessfully through that.

I get that Stone is a good screenwriter, but when he gets full of himself (like "Natural Born Killers," a good movie, but not for the screenplay, and more for the acting. And, perhaps if Stone wouldn't have messed with QT's script, it could have been brilliant) there is a worthless self-induldgence that throws films off their beat.

Up until this movie, though, Stone didn't exactly recreate the wheel. So, I'm happy that the OP filled me in that something actually did happen between EB and OS, because it could have been a great movie, but it didn't work because of ego (s).

That said, "Wall Street" was good, and a collabaration. "Platoon" was good writing because nobody had the nuts to make a real movie about that war, up until that time (Copolla came close, but it was fiction.) Stone should have rejected this and figured out how to make a real movie about Howard Stern, an alright film, but doesn't really pick up the historic value of a radio personality the way Stone would.

That said, "JFK" wasn't that bad, and they need to replay that over and over on cable, so you can get into about half way though the movie, to figure out it catches your interest. "Nixon" is the same. Who cares about certain politcal aspects or historical accurate, he made it a funner movie than that of which you would see on TV, and "The Doors" could have been about a lot of people, but it was still fun and sad at the same time.

But, Stone should know, he didn't invent anything subject wise, and other directors who did are perfectly fine with collaboration. Check the ego at the door, or you'll fade away.

[–] CheshireCatsGrin 14 years ago

I love this film, in large part for EB performance. That type of tense relationship on the set can either bring out the best or worst performances. In this case it brought out the best.

I also like Natural Born Killers, the QT/OS script was an interesting mix. My other two faves are Any Given Sunday and JFK, not so much for the subject matter but the acting and editing that moves those films along so well. The scene in JFK with David Ferrie in the hotel room was worth the price of my ticket.

DeeDee
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[–] BobStage 14 years ago

To be honest, Oliver Stone has earned the right to be a bit self-indulgent. I find it amazing that people call him a bad screen writer. Look at what he's written. Scarface, Platoon, Midnight Express... he's contributed on almost every single script he's ever directed. And it shows.

Personally, I hope he and Bogosian got along on this project, because it's one of the best films either of them ever made. It's maddening that this film is nearly unheard of today.

[–] Overmarz87 14 years ago

I think Stone understands that film is a separate entity from the script and makes changes as he sees fit during production. When he's constrained by the script it inhibits his artistic freedom.

Even though Talk Radio is a brilliantly executed film, possibly due in part to the constraints.

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[–] rooprect 14 years ago

Even though Talk Radio is a brilliantly executed film, possibly due in part to the constraints.

I've always felt that the strength of the artist lies in the ability to work within limitations. This brings out both the creativity and the ingenuity of the artist.

I didn't realize that Stone was so pouty about not having his way with Talk Radio. Of all the Stone films I've seen, this had the greatest impact. Despite its strict, minimalist presentation (which, I guess, is what Stone didn't like), it delivers a powerful punch. It's more artistic than any other Stone film I've seen. And it brings out the most in the actors as well as the camera.

[–] finnegansword 14 years ago

"It's maddening that this film is nearly unheard of today."

************

I have to thank the SUNDAY TIMES newspaper for my enclosed copy of this wonderful movie. Eric Bogosian's performance here is quite amazing. How do these guys summon up this level of energy and conviction?

[–] ThatsNotPopcorn 14 years ago

Agreed, he can put his movies anywhere he chooses. That really doesn't have any influence over me. This movie is great probably in spite of him. Actually, it grates my nerves whenever this movie is associated with Stone, this is Bogosian all the way.

[–] wackwill00 13 years ago

"SubUrbia," the play/movie Bogosian made after "Talk Radio," contains the line "*beep* Oliver Stone." I guess I know why now

[WTF?]

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] dini0519 11 years ago

Interesting trivia about an interesting movie. I know this thread is years old, but I still enjoy reading it...
Dini

[–] Nexus71 10 years ago

I think that Stone takes the same stand on TR as Kubrick did on Spartacus and both made briljant movies out of them. IMO it shows how good a director Stone is even with constraints and limited rescources,and Bogosian seems like he was made to play the role just like McDowell was for the part of Alex in Clockwork Orange.

I think the movie is an observation of the U.S. at the time but strangely enough it doesn't seem to age because the topics Stone and Bogosian are adressing are still relevant and the movie builds up tension effectively up to the scene at the end when Bogosian is sitting at his desk and the camera moves round the desk focus on Bogosian and every line he delivers is like a bullet from a gun(briljant acting by Bogosian and briljant setting by Stone).

this is a much overlooked early gem from Oliver Stone wich deserves to be in my movie collection been looking for it on dvd for quite a while now because I am a big fan of Oliver Stone(yes even Alexander(wich is character study instead of a swords and sandels movie like Gladiator or Troy) though i can do without WTC)and my video copy has worn down.

"Culture is pornography and slasher films"

[–] randyhndrsn 10 years ago

I've been wanting a bluray criterion release of this, truly one of Stone's gems and one of the best films of the late 80's with a brilliant lead performance and screenplay.